Lodway 1st XI’s first league game of 2026 only lasted one innings before the forecast heavy afternoon rain forced the abandonment of all games in division one, but that one innings was very much an innings of two halves.

Having been asked to bat first after a vigorous pre-match training session led by Tony Hardwell, Lodway had to reshuffle the batting order due to Adam Robson’s tardiness, and it was Ben Stitfall who strode out to bat with Tobias Rice. Rice and Stitfall were quick to put the pressure on the Keynsham bowlers, combining boundary-striking with sharp running against the opening pair of young Oscar Hayes (0-36) and veteran Roy Emmott (0-30), with a large target expected to be posted as first Rice brought up his half-century before the century stand was reached before drinks.

However, the hosts found the halftime squash much more to their liking than the visitors did, as the second half of the innings was to completely change complexion, mainly thanks to new Keynsham skipper Cameron Emmott. With the opening partnership well set at 114, Rice decided he needed to go big, but his winter gym sessions were sadly lacking as he could only find long-on to fall for 60, and, one run later, Stitfall top-edged a sweep from middle stump to leave the stage with 42 runs to his name. More calamity was soon to follow, as Paul Stubbs survived a loud appeal for LBW first ball before smearing his next delivery straight up in the air to cover, leaving Lodway 117-3. The fourth wicket pairing of Robson and Caolan Pearce struggled to get niggardly pair Emmott C and Ben Whittington (0-25) through the infield, with the Lodway innings seeming to stall as the runs dried to a trickle, before Emmott finally put Pearce out of his misery after a 24-ball 4, to end with fine figures of 4-17 from his 8. Following Pearce’s demise, Ewan Mason and Robson tried to inject slightly more urgency into proceedings, putting on 42 in eight overs before Robson fell for 31 in the last over. This brought stricken Ryan Rice to the crease, feeling worse for wear after a rumbustious rugby presentation dinner the night before, and, between the dry heaves, young Rice was able to get Lodway to the next batting point before Mason found the boundary fielder on the last ball of the innings as he fell for 17 and the innings closed on 177-6 as the rain began to fall.

As the rain became biblical in proportions, both sides were able to enjoy extra helpings of another fine tea at the Frank Taylor Memorial Ground, with the pasta bake the first dish to disappear, shortly followed by the sausage sandwiches and the pizza slices, and, with only the melon remaining, the captains shook hands to share the points with no prospect of play resuming.

Next week the first team are at Ham Green to host Bath 3rds, hoping to repeat their commanding victory over them of last season, where 263 was successfully chased.